Raw Materials

Here are a few expanded thoughts from the teaching this weekend.

What’s Up With Psalm 139-19-24?
This weekend we explored only a small part of Psalm 139. The Psalm takes an abrupt turn in verse 19. The first 18 verses are all about who God is and how God has created us. Then all of the sudden we have the writer asking God to kill his enemies. Bizarre. Something definitely has this guy worked up. Apparently there are voices falsely accusing the writer of something harsh.

If you have ever had voices around you accusing you, giving you a name that isn’t your own, pulling you away from your truest self, maybe you know the feeling. And it’s like the writer spends the first 18 verses reminding himself of what is most true about himself.


The Temptation To Doubt You
I wish we could have explored the connection between Matthew 3.17 and Matthew 4.3.

Notice the very first words out of the tempters mouth.

What is the real temptation for Jesus?

Is it about bread or about doubting who he really is?

Does all temptation start with an attack on our identity?


Are You Esau? Yes I Am.
“Trying to mirror someone else’s accomplishment is one thing. Trying to be someone else in distinctive capacity is unhealthy and breeds insatiable hungers.” – Ravi Zacharias “Dream Weaver”


Exodus 4
Moses says to God, “I’m not a good enough speaker.” We all have a “Not _________ Enough” list.

What would be on yours?


We Are Not Made For Pretending And Perfecting
If you were to describe the few people in your life that you would be closest to, I would almost guarantee that one thing that would pop up in describing them would be the idea that you could “be yourself” around them. No pretending with them. No perfecting yourself for them.

Who are the few people in your life you can completely be yourself with?

When is the last time you thanked them for that gift?


Owning Your Raw Materials
This phrase is used by Lewis Smedes in his great book, “Shame and Grace: Healing The Shame We Don’t Deserve”. A counselor of mine once recommended this book and I am so grateful he did.

Raw Materials = Who You Are and Where You’ve Been

Take a minute to write down the things that make you distinctly you. Your physical self, your mental capacity, your personality traits, etc…

Then take a minute and write down where you come from. Your family background, events that played a significant role in your life, pain from the past, joy from the past, etc…

Look at this list as your raw material list.

Are there parts you are ashamed of? Why?
Are there any parts you have tried to deny? Why?
Are there any parts you just need to say, “God I trust you with this.”?


Exodus 20.17
I really, really wanted to talk about this but just didn’t have enough time.

Notice that all of the commands are externally observable (don’t kill people, don’t lie, don’t steal, etc…). The last commandment, “You shall not covet…” however is not observable. It is something that is inside of us.

Why is this?

Some say that perhaps the reason is that the 10 Command is a blessing.

That if you fall in line with God’s tuning, if you align with God, you will not desire anyone else's life. You will be content. Perhaps it isn’t a command, perhaps it is a blessing.

When you accept your proper place in this world, embracing who you are and who God is, “You shall not covet…” because you simply will not want another life.

Do you want anyone else's life?

Why?

What steps could you take in embracing who you have uniquely been designed to be?